Man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing ex-girlfriend to over 30 years in prison

For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who pleaded guilty to stabbing his former girlfriend multiple times and cutting her throat in killing her will serve over 30 years in prison and potentially longer.

On Thursday, Chance Donohoe was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Donohoe, 27, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse, according to court documents.

Originally charged with two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, Donohoe was arrested on Aug. 29, 2023 after turning himself in at a Sheetz gas station in Powell.

One hour prior to the arrest, police responded to the 1400 block of Berkeley Road in Deshler Park, where 29-year-old Shannon Hiott was found dead at 6:18 a.m. She had multiple stab wounds to her upper body and her throat was cut.

Donohoe fled the scene in Deshler Park to take the murder weapon to his mother’s house in Powell. He then surrendered at the gas station. He admitted to police that he was upset after the two had broken up and that Hiott had reportedly made disparaging comments about him on social media.

Defense council for Donohoe filed a sentencing memorandum asking judge Kim Brown for a sentence that offered the possibility of parole, despite knowing that “opportunities before the parole board may be remote”.

Donohoe faced an imprisonment term of 20 years to life without parole for the murder charge and up to 12 months in prison for abuse of a corpse.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, resources for help can be found at this link.